Penelope’s Loom

  Ah, Caligula.  In recent times, historians have been revisiting the life and times of this controversial Roman emperor, trying to make some sort of narrative that might help rehabilitate his tarnished image.  Honestly, I cannot conceive of a universe wherein this would be possible. If the picture on the right is anything close to reality, then this guy isn't really a looker.   When I was about 13, Masterpiece Theater ran a series starring Derek Jacobi called "I Claudius."  It was based on a duology about the life of Claudius, sort of a grandson to emperor Augustus.  When it came to depicting the life of Caligula, well, let's just say it was less than complimentary. you just gotta check this one out. Did you watch it? Are you laughing uproariously? Me too.  Alright.  Let the bloody carnival begin.... In terms of actual primary sources about this psycho’s reign, there are few. We have Suetonius, for sure.  There is also Josephus.  B...

  Norman Rockwell's vision of an American Thanksgiving.  I know, I know, not exactly realistic, maybe even racist, right?  Sigh.  How about a drumstick with your propaganda? This is really what the holiday is all about for everyone these days, right? Everyone with a "food baby" by the end of the night. But, every tradition or custom has some basis--what ever that is.  Let's face it:  everything having to do with the holidays gets blurred over time. Last year I wrote about one take on Thanksgiving--that it was President Lincoln's way of reconciling his grieving country in the aftermath of the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863.  Gads, has it already been a year, Dear Reader? Well, let me take this opportunity to wish you and yours a happy autumnal feast! A meal where, I hope, you and yours celebrate one another.                                        ...

  NOTE to you Dear Reader: What follows is a tragic story, mostly for the victims of the SLA, and for the families of those victims.  To be clear:  this 'urban guerilla' organization, filled with Charles Bronson wannabes, were collectively responsible for murder, armed robbery, and the Gods know what else.   If you're at all familiar with this blog, then you'll know that I have an irreverent take on just about any issue, or person.  If I write in this aforementioned strain, particularly in this final part of the Patty Hearst saga, I mean absolutely no disrespect to the families of the victims. For those of us who lived through it, the following images were EVERYWHERE: Or, her Bonnie and Clyde shot: And now for something completely different:  how did Patty's evolution into urban guerilla occur?  Let's find out. Patty (although she apparently prefers "Patricia") grew up in the wealthier parts of San Francisco, and had an indifferent education-...

  OK  how much do you know about “Tanya”?  Shit I meant Patty-baby.  "Tanya" was her ‘urban guerilla’ persona.  To understand Hearst’s journey from being a lowly member of California’s privileged class, to someone who robbed a bank , you’ve got to go a bit deeper.  Let’s start here: No, it's not Hearst in a gaudy print dress, and yeah, that's a poor kid really staring at that f&$@ing light for 8+ hours.  LSD anyone!???!!! Can we really infer the idiocy of a younger generation of Americans from the picture of a single girl staring at a bare lit bulb, or the kidnapping of one poor dumb rich kid? No.  Of course not. 'Not even,' in the words of Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin, you philistines!). Turn on, Tune in, and Drop Out -- Timothy Leary I know, we're all aware of that gem.  Well, how about these? “You're only as young as the last time you changed your mind.”  (maybe not so bad, eh? Well, that is, if you like living in a constant state o...